Step-pi



F. H. STANWOOD.

STEP PLATE FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY II. 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. STANWOOD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO STANWOOD EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STEP-PLATE FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

Application filed May 11, 1918. Serial No. 233,998.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK H. SrANwoon, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a. new .and useful improvement in Step-Plates for Automobiles and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to step plates for automobiles and the like and more icularly to step plates adapted for positioning upon a running board to protect the running board and .car body from marring in use.

A principal ObJGCt of the invention 18 the provision of an efiective step plate which.

will prevent the toe of the shoe of the wearer marring either the edge of the runstructed that it will not retain the dirt removed from the shoes of the wearer stepping into the car.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a step plate of economic construction and of pleasing appearance.

A further and highly important object of the invention is the provision of a step plate possessing these and other advantages which may be readily positioned upon cars already in use without requiring change in the construction of the plate or in the construction of the car for its use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

On the drawing,

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a car body and running board upon which is mounted a step plate embodying my present invention; I

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same before attachment showing the same broken away centrally;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4: is an enlarged partial section on the line 4& of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing reference character 11 indicates a car body and reference character 12 the usual running board, both or" which mayoit' course be or" any preferred form or construction. The step plate embodying my invention and indicated in Fig. 1 at 13 consists of a body sheet of rubber or other suitable yielding material and may be considered in the present instance to be composed of three parts, a central main part A adapted to rest upon the top of the running board, a forward downwardly extending part or flange B adapted. to engage the edge of the running board, and a rearward portion C adapted to extend up on to the body to protect the body against marring by the toe of the person entering the car.

The central portion A is provided with a reinforcing plate 14: embedded in the bodysheet of material and having a part 15 of such sheet therebeneath and a. part 16 of said sheet thereabove. The plate 14: is substantially of width equal to the width of the running board and the sheet of body material extends beyond it at its ends as indicated at 1'? to wholly embed the metal sheet within the softer material.

A plurality of parallel elongated ribs 18 extend up above the part 16 and body plate 14 and serve to clean the mud and dirt from the shoes of the wearer before he enters the car and to prevent slipping. These ribs in the present instance are shown running clear across this part of the sheet and parallel with the edge of the running board. The ribs 18 are tapered off at their ends at '19 in order that no sharp corners may exist.

part B extending down from the edge of the running board and the two plates 14 and 22 are preferably vulcanized to the body material.

The portion C, i. e the portion that is adapted to extend up on the body, is not provided with ribs and is not reinforced. It is left flexible in order that it may adapt itself to the curvature of the body of the particular automobile to which it 'is attached and its elastic qualities serve to hold it close against the car body tending as it does to return to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fastening screws or other devices indicated in dotted lines at 24 and 25 are inserted through the body sheet and through the plates 14 and 22 re spectively and through the running board to hold the step plate in place and if desired similar screws may be inserted through apertures 26 in the part C and through into the body of the car.

It will be manifest that the step plate embodying my present invention can be positioned upon cars already in use without particular adaptation of either the plate or the car. Furthermore the provision of the extension or part C permits the plate to be used on running boards of different Widths and yet extend over the front edge completely to the inner edge. The dirt or mud removed from the shoes of the wearer by the plates, falling between the ribs into open ended channels, will either jar or blow out in use or be readily washed away.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and

' it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described be ing merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A step plate for an automobile or the like, comprising a yielding body member adapted to extend to the edge of the running board and having a raised nosing portion disposed at and above the edge of the running board whereby to prevent sliping.

2. A step plate for an automobile and the like, comprising a yielding body member adapted to extend to the edge of a running board, and having a serrated nosing extending out from said edge, whereby to prevent slipping.

3. A step plate for an automobile or the like, comprising a yielding body adapted to be disposed upon the upper face of a running board, and having a part adapted to be disposed against its outer edge, and an upwardly and outwardly thickened protruding part extending out from said member and the running board to which it may be attached.

4:. A step plate for an automobile or the like, comprising a body of yielding material adapted to lie upon the upper surface of a running board or the like, and having a part adapted to lie along the outer surface of the edge of the running bdard, and a metal reinforcing sheet in each said parts.

5. A step plate for an automobile or the like, comprising a body of yielding material adapted to lie upon the upper surface of a running board or the like, and having a part adapted to lie along the outer surface of the edge of the running board, a thickened nosing at the intersection of said parts, and a metal reinforcing sheet in each said parts.

. Signed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK H. STANWOOD.

Witnesses JOHN C. CARPENTER, ETHEL WOOD. 

